The influence of differing social ties on decline in physical functioning among older people with and without chronic diseases: The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

Abstract Background Using longitudinal panel data, the aim of this study was to first identify three-year trajectories in cognitive and physical functioning among Dutch older adults. And second, to identify which main characteristics were associated with these trajectories. Methods Group-based Trajectory Modelling with mortality jointly estimated was used to identify trajectories, using a scale composed of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADL) as a measure of physical functioning, and a short version of the mini mental status examination (sMMSE) or the IQCODE as a measure of cognitive functioning. Data came from 574 Dutch adults aged 75+, collected in five nine-month measurement waves conducted between 2015 and 2018 for the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Results Five trajectories in physical functioning were identified: ‘high’, ‘moderate’, ‘steeply declining’, ‘gradually declining’, and ‘continuously low’. People that were older, lower educated, living in an institution, or suffered from diabetes or cerebrovascular accidents were more likely to follow a low or declining physical trajectory. For cognitive functioning four trajectories were identified: a ‘high’, ‘moderate’, ‘declining’, and ‘low’ trajectory. Old age, low education, living in an institution, and heart- and lung diseases were associated with continuously low or declining cognitive functioning. Mortality risks were highest among those experiencing the continuously low functioning trajectories. Conclusions This study identified trajectories comparable to previous studies that used longer time intervals, showing the consistent presence of heterogeneity in both physical and cognitive trajectories. Co-modelling mortality resulted in bigger group sizes for the more adverse trajectories. The favourable trajectories, containing most of the participants, were mostly characterized by absence of disease, whereas trajectories showing decline did not share a common indicator. Specific chronic diseases were associated with different rates of decline, however there was no factor that was associated with all declining trajectories; future research could focus on finding such an indicator.

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The longitudinal relation between chronic diseases and depression in older persons in the community: the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology ◽

10.1016/j.jclinepi.2003.01.001 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 187-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 102

Author(s):

M.Isabella Bisschop ◽

Didi M.W Kriegsman ◽

Dorly J.H Deeg ◽

Aartjan T.F Beekman ◽

Willem van Tilburg

Keyword(s):

Chronic Diseases ◽

Older Persons ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

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The outcome of anxiety disorders in older people at 6-year follow-up: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica ◽

10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00531.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 111 (6) ◽

pp. 420-428 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

J. Schuurmans ◽

H. C. Comijs ◽

A. T. F. Beekman ◽

E. Beurs ◽

D. J. H. Deeg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Older People ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

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Unmarried Older People: Are They Socially Better Off Today?

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gby120 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (8) ◽

pp. 1463-1473 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Theo G van Tilburg ◽

Bianca Suanet

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Emotional Support ◽

Well Being ◽

Network Size ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Linear Modeling ◽

Never Married ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

Abstract Objectives Previous studies have shown that unmarried older adults are generally at disadvantage in personal networks and social well-being compared with the married. It can be questioned whether their situation has improved in contemporary society, as among others the stigma of divorce and being never-married has declined. We hypothesize differential developments in networks and well-being according to marital status (married, widowed, divorced, and never-married) across birth cohorts. Method Data are from the 1993 and 2013 observations of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam on Dutch people aged 55–69 (N = 2,894) and 70–84 years (N = 2,317). We employ general linear modeling of network size and diversity, received emotional and instrumental support, emotional and social loneliness, and depressive symptoms. Results The widowed are better off socially in 2013 than in 1993. Similar to the divorced they have a larger network, and similar to the never-married they receive more emotional support and are less emotional lonely. We find some gender differences in these developments. Discussion Societal change has not radically altered networks and well-being of unmarried older people. The widowed seem to benefit most, possibly because they are better able to retain relationships after widowhood.

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Older adults report cancellation or avoidance of medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

European Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1007/s41999-021-00514-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Noah A. Schuster ◽

Sascha de Breij ◽

Laura A. Schaap ◽

Natasja M. van Schoor ◽

Mike J. L. Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Primary Care ◽

Medical Care ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Hospital Outpatient ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

Abstract Purpose Delay of routine medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic may have serious consequences for the health and functioning of older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate whether older adults reported cancellation or avoidance of medical care during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to explore associations with health and socio-demographic characteristics. Methods Cross-sectional data of 880 older adults aged ≥ 62 years (mean age 73.4 years, 50.3% female) were used from the COVID-19 questionnaire of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a cohort study among community-dwelling older adults in the Netherlands. Cancellation and avoidance of care were assessed by self-report, and covered questions on cancellation of primary care (general practitioner), cancellation of hospital outpatient care, and postponed help-seeking. Respondent characteristics included age, sex, educational level, loneliness, depression, anxiety, frailty, multimorbidity and information on quarantine. Results 35% of the sample reported cancellations due to the COVID-19 situation, either initiated by the respondent (12%) or by healthcare professionals (29%). Postponed help-seeking was reported by 8% of the sample. Multimorbidity was associated with healthcare-initiated cancellations (primary care OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.09–3.50; hospital OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.28–2.74) and respondent-initiated hospital outpatient cancellations (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.04–4.12). Depressive symptoms were associated with postponed help-seeking (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06–1.24). Conclusion About one third of the study sample reported cancellation or avoidance of medical care during the first months of the pandemic, and this was more common among those with multiple chronic conditions. How this impacts outcomes in the long term should be investigated in future research.

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Frailty Changes Predict Mortality in 4 Longitudinal Studies of Aging

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa266 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Erwin Stolz ◽

Emiel O Hoogendijk ◽

Hannes Mayerl ◽

Wolfgang Freidl

Keyword(s):

Mortality Risk ◽

Clinical Decision Making ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Credible Interval ◽

Clinical Decision ◽

Population Based ◽

Time To Event Data ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

Abstract Background Baseline frailty index (FI) values have been shown to predict mortality among older adults, but little is known about the effects of changes in FI on mortality. Methods In a coordinated approach, we analyzed data from 4 population-based cohorts: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing (ELSA), and the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), comprising a total of 24 961 respondents (65+), 95 897 observations, up to 9 repeated FI assessments, and up to 23 years of mortality follow-up. The effect of time-varying FI on mortality was modeled with joint regression models for longitudinal and time-to-event data. Results Differences (of 0.01) in current FI levels (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, 95% credible interval [CI] = 1.03–1.05) and baseline FI levels (HR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.03–1.05) were consistently associated with mortality across studies. Importantly, individuals with steeper FI growth also had a higher mortality risk: An increase in annual FI growth by 0.01 was associated with an increased mortality risk of HR = 1.56 (95% CI = 1.49–1.63) in HRS, HR = 1.24 (95% CI = 1.13–1.35) in SHARE, HR = 1.40 (95% CI = 1.25–1.52) in ELSA, and HR = 1.71 (95% CI = 1.46–2.01) in LASA. Conclusions FI changes predicted mortality independently of baseline FI differences. Repeated assessment of frailty and individual’s frailty trajectory could provide a means to anticipate further health deterioration and mortality and could thus support clinical decision making.

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Predictors in starting and stopping Internet use between 2002 and 2012 by Dutch adults 65 years and older

Health Informatics Journal ◽

10.1177/1460458217720398 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 715-730 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica Berner ◽

Marja Aartsen ◽

Dorly Deeg

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Internet Use ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Demographic Predictors ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study ◽

Normal Cognition ◽

High Sense

Research has indicated the need to consider the ageing process with technology adoption by older adults. This study examined psychological, health, social and demographic predictors with starting and stopping Internet use by older adults (2002–2012). Data were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, and Cox regression analyses were done to test predictors over time with starting or stopping Internet use. The results indicated that older adults starting to use the Internet (11.6%) outnumbered those who stopped (3.1%). Psychological, health, social and demographic predictors separately predicted starting and stopping Internet use. Starting use was predicted by lower age, higher education, normal cognition and living alone. The predictors in stopping use were being younger, having a high sense of mastery and being higher educated. The results need to be interpreted as indicative due to the small number of stoppers. Suggestions are made on how to improve usability.

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Serum IGF1, metabolic syndrome, and incident cardiovascular disease in older people: a population-based study

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-12-0784 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 168 (3) ◽

pp. 393-401 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Christa C van Bunderen ◽

Mirjam M Oosterwerff ◽

Natasja M van Schoor ◽

Dorly J H Deeg ◽

Paul Lips ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Older People ◽

Population Based ◽

Mortality Data ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Definition Of ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveHigh as well as low levels of IGF1 have been associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The relationship of IGF1 with (components of) the metabolic syndrome could help to clarify this controversy. The aims of this study were: i) to investigate the association of IGF1 concentration with prevalent (components of) the metabolic syndrome; and ii) to examine the role of (components of) the metabolic syndrome in the relationship between IGF1 and incident CVD during 11 years of follow-up.MethodsData were used from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a cohort study in a representative sample of the Dutch older population (≥65 years). Data were available in 1258 subjects. Metabolic syndrome was determined using the definition of the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. CVD were ascertained by self-reports and mortality data.ResultsLevels of IGF1 in the fourth quintile were associated with prevalent metabolic syndrome compared with the lowest quintile (odds ratio: 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–2.33). The middle up to the highest quintile of IGF1 was positively associated with high triglycerides in women. Metabolic syndrome was not a mediator in the U-shaped relationship of IGF1 with CVD. Both subjects without the metabolic syndrome and low IGF1 levels (hazard ratio (HR) 1.75, 95% CI 1.12–2.71) and subjects with the metabolic syndrome and high IGF1 levels (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.21–4.28) demonstrated increased risks of CVD.ConclusionsIn older people, high-normal IGF1 levels are associated with prevalent metabolic syndrome and high triglycerides. Furthermore, this study suggests the presence of different pathomechanisms for both low and high IGF1 levels and incident CVD.

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Hoe pakt de hogere AOW-leeftijd uit?

Tijdschrift voor Arbeidsvraagstukken ◽

10.5117/tva2021.2.002.deeg ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 137-160

Author(s):

Dorly J.H. Deeg ◽

Mariska van der Horst ◽

Cécile R.L. Boot

Keyword(s):

Content Type ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ◽

Aging Study ◽

Longitudinal Aging Study

Samenvatting Door de recente verhoging van de AOW-leeftijd in Nederland is een nieuwe groep ontstaan: de betaald werkenden tussen de oude AOW-leeftijd van 65 jaar en de nieuwe AOW-leeftijd, de ‘65-pre-AOW’ers’. In een eerste kenschets van deze groep vergelijken wij hun werk- en individuele kenmerken met die van de 61-64-jarige werkers, de ‘61-64’ers’, en de werkers boven de nieuwe AOW-leeftijd, de ‘post-AOW’ers’. In 2019 verschaften 764 61-70-jarige deelnemers aan de voor Nederland representatieve Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam gegevens over sociaal-demografische kenmerken, financiële situatie, gezondheid, werkcapaciteit en werkkenmerken. Het aandeel werkenden verschilde duidelijk naar leeftijd: 67% bij de 61-64’ers, 48% bij de 65-pre-AOW’ers en 16% bij de post-AOW’ers. Ook het gemiddeld aantal werkuren per week verschilde en bedroeg 31, 27 respectievelijk 18 uren. Voor de werkende 61-64’ers en 65-pre-AOW’ers was hun financiële situatie een belangrijke drijfveer om door te werken. De werkende 61-64’ers en 65-pre-AOW’ers hadden minder gezondheidsbeperkingen dan de werkende post-AOW’ers, maar de werkende post-AOW’ers rapporteerden een hogere werkcapaciteit. De werkende 65-pre-AOW’ers vormden een minderheid van hun leeftijdsgenoten. Om te bevorderen dat meer mensen tot de AOW-leeftijd doorwerken, zeker aangezien deze hoger wordt, zouden de arbeidsomstandigheden beter aangepast moeten worden aan de werkcapaciteit in deze leeftijdsgroep.

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